Effingham

Personal Injury Attorneys for Accident Victims in Effingham and Nearby Communities

Effingham is the largest city within Effingham County, Illinois. The location of Effingham, often termed “The Crossroads of Opportunity,” at the intersection of Interstate 57 and Interstate 70, provides a means for people throughout the city and county to commute easily for both work and entertainment purposes. The personal injury attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca represent people hurt by the negligence or wrongful conduct of others. Throughout Effingham and the surrounding communities, we have represented accident victims and others seeking legal guidance and strong advocacy. Our skilled Effingham personal injury lawyers provide compassionate legal advocacy for victims, whether they seek assistance with Social Security Disability claims, negligence cases, or workers’ compensation claims.

Car Accidents and Other Negligence Cases

By filing a personal injury claim, accident victims and other injured individuals can receive compensation for the harm that they have suffered in a motor vehicle collision or another accident. The damages that are received in a successful claim are intended to compensate the victim or place them in the position in which they would be if they had not been injured in the accident. The types of damages that may be recovered include compensation for medical bills and future treatment, as well as missed work wages and property damage. Often, accident victims suffer emotional harm and a decreased quality of life. These non-economic forms of damages are also types of compensation available to people pursuing a personal injury claim.

In many personal injury claims, the victim plaintiff alleges that the defendant was negligent. Proving negligence requires showing that the defendant failed to exercise due care, and this failure directly led to the accident and injuries. These legal elements are proven by setting forth evidence surrounding the defendant’s actions. For example, a breached duty of care in a motor vehicle collision may be speeding through a red light or failing to reduce speed to account for road hazards. If the defendant’s conduct directly led to the victim’s injuries, this would be the basis of a successful legal claim.

Workers’ Compensation

Illinois law provides workers’ compensation benefits to employees who suffer injuries in the course and scope of their employment. Employers retain insurance that typically pays these benefits, and in order to receive these benefits, workers are not required to prove fault or causation. In this manner, a workers’ compensation claim is different from a personal injury claim.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides a system of laws that govern compensating employees for injuries and diseases that they have encountered at work. Occupational exposure to chemicals, for example, can lead to industrial diseases such as asbestosis and dermatitis, which are considered types of work-related injuries. Additionally, workers with pre-existing medical conditions who have experienced a worsening of their condition due to work are entitled to benefits and compensation. By demonstrating that a medical condition or an injury was suffered in the course and scope of employment, workers can present a strong claim for compensation. The success of a claim often depends on successfully showing this causation; physical harm must have been caused at work or worsened by workplace conditions.

Social Security Disability

Individuals suffering from injuries or illnesses that prevent them from working may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration may not approve an initial claim for benefits, and often, individuals need to go through reconsideration and appeals of their claims. In order to present a strong claim for benefits, the legal definition of “disability” must be met. This often requires proving, though medical documentation, that a severe physical or mental impairment has led to limitations that prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity. Additionally, these limitations must last or be expected to last for at least 12 months.

Retain a Personal Injury Lawyer in the Effingham Area to Help with Your Legal Claims

Injured individuals in need of a personal injury or workers’ compensation attorney will receive dedicated and personal attention from the attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. Not only do we advocate for people in need of compensation following a motor vehicle crash or another accident, but also we understand the emotional impact that accompanies these often devastating circumstances. To learn more about your legal rights from an Effingham personal injury attorney, call our office at 312-724-5846 or contact us online.

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